A New Name & New Home For The Blog

I hadn't made it known publicly but I have been planning on moving this blog for several weeks. 

I began blogging on a whim and wasn't sure what direction I was even going in; I was just going with the flow. 

However, after receiving so much support and realizing the interest and need for a blog that serves both inspired individuals and artistic professionals alike, I decided to start fresh and begin anew.

Therefore, I'm tickled pink to announce that today we moved to our new home at The Inspiration Tree.

Anyone who loves to be inspired by both life and the arts will feel right at home so please join me and update your shortcuts. Everything has been moved to the new location and I will soon delete this blog location entirely. 

See You There!

Whitening My Gray Day

It's a gray day in my part of the world today. Normally I love anything gray.... But not my days. It's just rainy and cold. I wish that if I had to be cold that it would also be pretty outside. Like this perhaps:

At least I can enjoy Brigitte Smith's lovely scene. Thank you, Brigitte! She has lots of pretty work in her Flickr stream.   Go visit her :)

Feature Friday: Daniella Tjahjanto

If you are a photographer, artist, designer, professional crafts person or food blogger who would like to have your work featured on this blog
I've just created THIS brand new Flickr group for your submissions. 


I could barely wait to bring you this week's featured artist. I wanted to publish this piece on Sunday!

It's my pleasure to be able to introduce to the work of Daniella Tjahjanto, a photographer from 

Jakarta, Indonesia.  While also being a mother to 4 little girls, Daniella also works from her home studio and on location in her area.

 The first image of hers that I had the opportunity to see was this feminine fine art shot that immediately fell in love with:

 

I still wasn't prepared though for the immense talent I was yet to observe on her website and Flickr stream.

Daniella is inspired by loving relationships and specializes in family, portrait, maternity and boudoir photography. "All about love", she says.

When I asked her to further elaborate on her sources of inspiration she replied, "I always loved to capture precious moments that happens between a family. Having a child made this feeling stronger ... I tried to capture every single move between us. Someday, we'll grown old and grey, even our memories and mind can leave us alone so photographs are the only proof that the moments actually happened. Love is my biggest inspiration, combined with natural light, it's just perfect!"

She's so right. I always say, "When my memory fades or when I am gone, my photographs will tell you what I can not." 

Daniella's images display that certain "days gone by" atmosphere, glamour and grace that is so difficult to find today. I'm certain you'll enjoy my favorite images from her portfolio. 

Daniella also states that she always encourages women over the age of 35 to participate in a small boudoir session because she personally knows it can be difficult for women to accept that youth is behind them. She says, "I want to show that we can still be as sensual as young ladies."

These selections from the portrait and boudoir section of portfolio are full of both sensuality and taste. 

My two FAVORITE shots are what I'm personally and affectionately calling Daniella's 'RED SIRENS' series.
These are gorgeous!

 

"Fashion can be bought. Style, one must possess." ~ Daniella Tjahjanto

Daniella, you are a shining example of style.

Please do me a favor and  become a fan of Daniella's brand new Facebook page and tell her how talented she is!  I know she'll be thrilled to hear from you. 

Feature Fridays are dedicated to the works of one talented photographer, artist, designer, crafts person or food blogger. If you (or someone you know) would like to become our next featured artist then submit your examples to THIS brand new Flickr group. 

~Be Inspired. Be Creative~

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Keep Calm and Snap On

Love this and had to share!

Buy the Keep Calm and Snap On at the Photojojo Store!

First Feature Friday: Artist Andrea McClain

I'm excited to announce our newest section, Feature Friday, where each week a different artist's work will be highlighted. To get us started on the right foot I chose an artist whom is a photographer, professional crafter and a preschool teacher, as well. 

Andrea McClain is an on location photographer serving the Cincinnati, Ohio area. Many of my favorite images from her possess a soft, romantic and feminine presence but her style appears limitless. She is extremely talented as a newborn, wedding, portrait and even fine art still photographer as you'll see for yourself below.

When asked where she finds her creative inspiration Andrea says, "A lot of my inspiration I draw just from life and my surroundings. I love being creative and taking walks through gardens and nature. I grew up with a grandmother who was very creative. There was nothing she couldn't make."

It appears Andrea does quite well making things, too. She has an Etsy store full of hand crocheted infant hats and even diaper covers that make wonderful photography props.
This one is my wintry favorite:

 

And here's my Valentine's Day pick:

She also has an extensive line of infant headbands that are adorable.
I love this plum and peach one:

I just had to share her newborn 'Apple Pickin' Time Shot, too, to show you how perfectly she blends her craft and photographic talents:

You can also visit Andrea's blog, find her on Flickr and also be sure to become a fan on her Facebook Page!

Emotional Art Inspiration

Today I find myself inspired by the light, the emotion, the simple art.

Thank you to the incredibly talented Elana Cooper. 

Credit:  "I tried so hard, and got so far...But in the end...It doesn’t even matter...."

Make A Wish

An Impression

You know those images that there are just few words for? The ones that strike you immediately and leave an impression on you?  Yeah, this is one of those ....

Credit: Jen Linfield Photography

Jen Linfield Photography in Ontario, Canada gets the credit for this artwork, which she says is the result of testing her studio lighting on her daughter. I say, "BEAUTIFUL!"

Please drop by her Facebook Page or Flickr Profile and tell her how amazing this is.

New Beginnings

I always love the beginning of the New Year. The feeling of starting fresh and the anticipation of wonderful new beginnings always excites me. In addition to that, 2011 has had it's rough days for me so I'm certainly ready to start over and try for a better year.

Keeping with the 'new beginnings' theme, I thought I'd feature a couple of my favorite wedding photos from Yuliya Bahr of Berlin, Germany.  Her images are very reminiscent of a beautiful real life storybook, and who couldn't use a fairytale today? These photographs will make you want to be swept into the story ....

credit: Yuliya Bahr

In The Mood For Something Different

 My husband is on that good for nothing low carb diet that I DETEST. I personally will take all the carbs I can get :)  But, if he's going to be able to lose any weight, I have to comply. He wanted some sort of cheesy chicken this evening so I hit the net looking a recipe. Nothing interested me so I decided to get creative.

I decided to make an 'Alice Springs' type of chicken but I was in the mood for something creamy so I threw together a cream sauce topping.
WOW. I had to share it!
Hubby went wild over this stuff. I guess it's a good thing that I like it, too, because I know he'll be asking for this again.

Chicken and Creamed Butter Sauce 
*Updated Recipe* 
I realized that I had accidentally left out the most important ingredient in the sauce recipe: The Cream Cheese,  is what produces the gravy like texture without using flour. If you tried this recipe within the first week of it being posted and found it lacking something, I highly recommend trying it the CORRECT way.   :)   So sorry!

I used a pound of cleaned boneless chicken tenderloins for this. To prepare the chicken I simply pan browned

it with a tablespoon each of olive oil and butter.

Ingredients:
 

1/2 small onion finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped mushroom (Mine were canned) 

1 tbl olive oil

1 tbl butter 

1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 tbl cream cheese

1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Prepared bacon slices
1/2 cup shredded cheese


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. While the chicken is browning add onion, oil and butter to a frying pan and begin to caramelize over medium heat. When onions are tender reduce heat and add evaporated milk, cream cheese  and spices to the pan. Stir frequently while warming over low heat, reserve and keep warm. (If the sauce becomes to thick or cool, you may add a teaspoon of water or milk at a time and stir well to thin or warm.) In a separate pan warm diced mushroom over medium low heat. When chicken juices run clear remove it to a foil lined baking dish. Add bacon slices and cheese. Top with 3/4 of the mushrooms. (Add remaining mushrooms to cream mixture.) Bake chicken 15 mins or until cheese is melted. Top with warm cream sauce and serve.  

I loved it!

I also wanted to share another new recipe with you that I developed for Christmas.

Usually on holidays I make my family's favorite pumpkin cheesecake but I was in the mood for something a little different and easy this year. A few years ago I ate some sort of blueberry dessert that was out of this world but no amount of searching yielded a similar recipe so I whipped up my own for 'Upside Down Berry Fluff'. It's really easy and was a huge hit, too.

Ingredients:

1 container of thawed cool whip

1 8 oz package of softened cream cheese

1 22oz can of mixed berry pie filling

1 pre prepared graham cracker pie crust, crumbled.

Directions:

With a large spoon blend cream cheese and cool whip well until cream cheese is no longer 'chunky'. Finish smoothing with a mixer until well blended. Stir in pie filling. Add to your desired dish. Top with crumbled pie crust. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and serve chilled. 

This was so yummy and simple that I think I may make it again tomorrow for the New Year.

The Shepherd's Flock

"Ideas are easy. It's the execution of ideas that really separates the sheep from the goats. "
~Sue Grafton~


And with that I give you two shining examples of artists executing beautiful ideas....

John Gordon Photography Website .  Tumbler

Lemon~Art Photostream

Inspired By The Season

Winter White Fine Art Inspiration.

For starters, Karen Burns, you're awesome!

'Snowy Day'

Credit: Forever Love

Credit:  Forever Love

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In the spirit of the season I added designed a couple of free Christmas Cards. Feel free to use them for your personal or business cards but they are not to be sold nor re distributed without my written consent.

Download 'Ornate Bauble' here


Download 'Snowman Card' here                                      

Be Different

Be Different, a photo by andrea{}hurley on Flickr.

"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different" ~ Coco Chanel
One of my favorite quotes...

I know what you're thinking: "Another bird on a wire picture - that's not different at all..." But what is different isn't the image - it's the bird. I was out 'trying' to take pictures of my toddler today and I noticed this little guy fly in - all alone. There was no flock of friends anywhere to be found; not even a lover. Just him, rather lonely seeming, and curious as to what my little one and I were up to. He bowed there, upside down, for quite a few minutes just looking toward us and I mused at how different he seemed. And perfect for my favorite quote :)

Gray and Beige: My Neutral Obsession

A new style inspiration to match a new blog theme!

Givenchy ruffle top, $669
Twenty8Twelve wool pants, £54
Fendi high heel pumps, $580
Mulberry patent handbag, $900
Mood jewelry, £11
Forzieri gold earrings, $1,194
Forzieri pearl diamond necklace, $887
Tom Ford oversized sunglasses, €275
Deborah Lippmann Nail Color Diamonds And Pearls (Ss) One Size, $16

The Art Of Music

I know nothing about the art of music. I can barely carry a tune. I can't play a single musical instrument.

But I love to listen, sing and dance. I also love these fine art piano images from Jeremy Rodney-Hall. He truly captured the piano's classic beauty and grace.

Credits: 1.   2.   3.   4.

So Stuffed

Last week's creative theme was Stuffed and this is a prime example (which I adore!)

Her sewing box is filled to the brim. Reminds me of my scrapbook closet ...  An over abundance of craft supplies = A sure sign of a person that must CREATE 2 LIVE!    :) 

Thankful For Home

I'm thankful this week to report that there was at least one participant in the new weekly creative photo challenge and it is a meaningful shot taken from the steering wheel of a car. The challenge theme was "What I Usually Forget To Be Thankful For".

 The artist says about this photo, "This stretch of sand spit roadway holds many memories for me. I grew up on this peninsula, take the views for granted that I have driven by for years. Kick myself when I'm running late for work and don't have the time to pull off and capture the tendrils of fog hovering on the surface of the lagoon that is shown on the right side of the photo. If it is real clear, I can see the Olympic Mountains in the distance." 

Forgetting to be thankful for the beauty and comforts of our own hometown can be easy. I recently realized I am very guilty of this myself, and have challenged myself to take more photos of my own area. 

Great Finds

I just had to pass on the great finds I stumbled upon via the flickr group. These artists are far too talented to not share with the world.

Tell me how creatively cute these handmade crafts from Tamara are... She does beautiful things with felt and wool!

I love those felted autumn acorns too much! And this mug cozy almost makes me want to become a coffee drinker. You can purchase from her new Etsy shop, Earth, Wind and Fibre.

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Another Etsy store that I really want to mention is Photography By Anita. Her work is FABULOUS and you can purchase cards, prints and more from her store. These Christmas images make fantastic cards and this is the perfect time to purchase.

Seriously, how cute are those Santas??? I'm still wondering if she bought them or made them because they are awesome. Either way, the photography is great.  I also adore her 2012 calender. It features some of her most beautiful images (including her amazing beach photography) and is is for sale here.  Here's a preview:

 

This is a great time to buy next year's calender, too, for yourself or as a gift, since the holiday shopping season is upon us again, already. 

Speaking of the holiday season, I have to go put my Christmas tree up now because I'll be much too busy eating and shopping to get to it next weekend...

Be merry!